Basketball fans ready to get mad

CHICKASHA – With basketball season less than two weeks away, it’s time for Drover fans to get pumped with this year’s Drover Madness.

Drover Madness is USAO’s annual pep rally that serves as a kick off for the basketball season. This year, the fun-filled event will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in USAO Fieldhouse.

The free event is open to students and the community alike.

Women’s Assistant Coach Carey Phariss said Drover Madness is a great way for fans to meet the players, especially this year, when so many are coming in new this season.

“This year like every year is fun because it’s a time to get to know the players that you may or may not have seen on campus and to meet other fans and students you may not otherwise get a chance to meet,” Phariss said.

Madness is complete with fan games and contests, food from Jake’s Rib and free T-shirts courtesy of Shirts N Stuff. Men’s Head Coach Brisco McPherson said Madness remains a fan favorite, even in its 16th year.

“I think it’s always an exciting time when your kicking off basketball,” McPherson said. “Generally, fans have a lot of fun when they come to Drover Madness, and I hope that continues.”

Molly Tracy, USAO communication sophomore, said she is looking forward to the basketball season and hopes to see the spirit of Drover basketball present at the pep rally.

“The teams, especially the Lady Drover team, have gained several new players. Spirits will be high, and I think that's exactly the way we should start our new season,” Tracy said.

The first 200 fans at Drover Madness will receive a magnetic schedule. Media guides will be available for $3 as well.

The Drover basketball season begins with both teams on the road with tournaments on Nov. 5-6. The first home game will be the Drover men as they take on Langston University at 7 p.m. Nov. 9. The Drover women won’t play a regular season home game until the conference opener on Dec. 2 against Saint Gregory’s.